Woodstock church celebrates Coronation Day

St. Mary Catholic School in Woodstock hosted the Coronation of the Queen of Heaven. May crowning is a traditional Roman Catholic ritual that occurs in the month of May every year, and all around the world. St. Mary hosted this event at the school Mass at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the sanctuary of the church.

During the coronation, an image or likeness of the Blessed Virgin Mary is ceremonially crowned to signify her as Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. Father Burt Absalon, pastor of Saint Mary Church and School, explained to the schoolchildren how Mary's greatest achievement was her "Yes" to be the mother of our Lord. She is the patron of the church and when you enter the sanctuary the first image you see is "The Annunciation" in the center stained glass window, where she said "Yes" to the Angel Gabriel and agreed to God's perfect plan. Mary's "Yes" is what has made her the Queen of Heaven, and we honor her with this May Crowning.

To learn more about this event at St. Mary Catholic School, please contact St. Mary Catholic Church at (815) 338-3377 or visit their website at www.StMary-Woodstock.org.